Embraer and the Portuguese government have signed a letter of intent to explore establishing a final assembly line for A‑29N Super Tucano aircraft in Portugal, a move that could anchor local defense production and serve other European partners.
The agreement positions Portugal as a potential hub for producing the turboprop attack and training aircraft under government-to-government arrangements.
With NATO-compatible avionics and multi-mission capability — from pilot training to anti-drone operations and reconnaissance — the A‑29N is central to Lisbon’s effort to modernize its air capabilities.
Alongside the letter, Portugal received the first five of 12 ordered A‑29Ns for its air force just over a year after signing the acquisition deal with the Brazilian manufacturer, marking a significant step in bolstering the country’s tactical aviation fleet.
The A‑29N is built for operational versatility and efficiency. Its airframe and advanced Human-Machine Interface avionics allow it to operate from short or unpaved runways in harsh environments, while maintaining low maintenance requirements and high reliability.
Equipped with a comprehensive communications suite and precision-targeting weapons systems, it is suited for close air support, border patrol, and armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
Foreign Defense Production Activity in Portugal
In recent years, Portugal has seen a notable increase in foreign defense investment and production activity.
The French multinational Thales Group has long maintained engineering centers in Portugal, focusing on naval systems and air traffic management software while supplying both domestic and export markets.
Brazil’s Embraer has strengthened its European presence with Embraer Defense Europe, opening a Lisbon office in late 2024 to develop defense and security solutions tailored for NATO and European requirements.
Embraer’s subsidiary Atech, specializing in command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence systems, also established a Lisbon office in July 2025 to strengthen ties with European defense markets.
